Why is my dehumidifier output air hot?

Hi,
There are many reasons why a dehumidifier willnot work or collect water.
Here is a tip that I wrote to help people to figure out what is going wrongwith their dehumidifier

Dehumidifier is running but no water is in bucket

heatman101

The fan, generally only operates when the compressor is running and then for a short period there after. A lot of this depends on which humidity extraction level the humidifier is set on. If it's set high (50%+), it's not going to do much extraction at all. However, if it's set on 32-35%, it's really going to run and extract humidity/moisture. In the case of your unit, which has a mechanical control, rather than electronic control , The control knob should be set on Maximum.

In addition, if you haven't checked and or cleaned the air intake filter recently, please do so. A dirty or clogged air filter will affect the operation of the dehumidifier. Also, place of the unit is very improtant. You must maintain a minimum of 12" clear air space around the entire unit. And be sure to keep it away from heat generating appliances.

In you want to do an in home test to see if it's work properly. Do the following:

1. Place the unit in the bathroom, plug it in, turn it ON and set the humidity extraction level at Maximum.

2. Turn the shower on hot enough to generate steam. Close the window(s) in the bathroom and Do Not turn on the exhaust fan As you exit the bathroom close the door.

3. Wait 15 - 20 minutes before returning to the bathroom and opening the door. Turn the shower OFF and allow the dehumidifier to run an additional 10 minutes. Then check the bucket for any signs of water. If you find some, the unit is working as it should. If you don't find any water, the humidity sensor may have failed or the compressor needs to be recharged with refrigerant gas.

Hope this helped you to troubleshoot and solve the problem. Please let me know. Thanks.

You may have the humidity setting to high. Try lowering it to 45%. Or if yours doesn't have an LED Screen, set it for minimum. Also, check and clean the air intake filter, if you haven't already. Keep in mind, most dehumidifiers have a fan that may seem to run constantly, but the compressor doesn't turn ON. The fan is circulating air, in a effort to detect humidity levels that are higher than what you have the humidity removal set on.

Hope this helped you.

Hi,
There are many reasons why a dehumidifier willnot work or collect water.
Here is a tip that I wrote to help people to figure out what is going wrongwith their dehumidifier

Dehumidifier is running but no water is in bucket

heatman101

Keep in mind, that a dehumidifier only draws humidity from the air, if the level of humidity is higher than what the controls are set on. For instance, if you have the dehumidifier set on 65 to 70%, that's a high level of humidity to maintain in a house. If you have it set for 35 or 45%, that's a low level of humidity to maintain in a house. Which, generally is what you want to maintain in the hot, humid summer months. Also, it's not uncommon on some dehumidifiers for the fan to almost run constantly. It's designed to keep the air moving, in a effort to detect when the humidity level rises.

Also, a dirty air intake filter makes the unit strain to keep up and can't take in moisture as it should. So, if you haven't cleaned the filter no is the time to check and clean it. And while your at it, clean the cooling coils too. Since it sounds like this unit has been working hard for 2 weeks.

The easiest and best way to test a dehumidifier at home, to see if it's working properly. Is to place it in the bathroom and turn the shower ON and don't operate the bathroom's exhaust fan. Set the humidity level low (45%), turn the unit ON and close the door when you leave. Wait 15 to 25 minutes and check the water collection bucket. If there's water in it, it's working as it should.

For more information on the proper operation of a dehumidifier, go to the Tips section of Fixya and look up "Taking the confusion out operating a dehumidifier".

Hope all this helps you troubleshoot and solve the problem. Please let me know. Thanks.

Keep in mind, that a dehumidifier only draws humidity from the air, if the level of humidity is higher than what the controls are set on. For instance, if you have the dehumidifier set on 65 to 70%, that's a high level of humidity to maintain in a house. If you have it set for 35 or 45%, that's a low level of humidity to maintain in a house. Which, generally is what you want to maintain in the hot, humid summer months. I find it uncanny, that all 3 units are not collecting any water. So, it may simply be the case, that the humidity level on each unit is improperly set.

Also, a dirty air intake filter makes the unit strain to keep up and can't take in moisture as it should. So, if you haven't cleaned the filters on a regular basis, not is the time to do so. And while your at it, clean the cooling coils too.

The easiest and best way to test a dehumidifier at home, to see if it's working properly. Is to place it in the bathroom and turn the shower ON and don't operate the bathroom's exhaust fan. Set the humidity level low (45%), turn the unit ON and close the door when you leave. Wait 30 to 40 minutes and check the water collection bucket. If there's water in it, it's working as it should.

Hope this helped you to solve the problem. Please let me know.

If you haven't clean the air intake filter since you've had it. More than likely that's the problem. A dirty filter makes the dehumidifier strain to take in the moist air and it just can't keep up.

If you don't have your Owners Manual to guide you through the process. You can download one online, from Sears Parts Central.

Hope this helped you to solve the problem.

Hi,
There are many reasons why a dehumidifier willnot work or collect water.
Here is a tip that I wrote to help people to figure out what is going wrongwith their dehumidifier

Dehumidifier is running but no water is in bucket

heatman101 ....

Our HD306 model was used for one season and will not pull out water when we recently plugged it in.

Is it collecting water? The air coming out the back top half should be cool/warm. It will be a little warmer at the bottom near the compressor.